Chapter 202: Nothing Can Turn the Heavens Upside Down

Frost flowers condensed on the window lattice, and sparks burst from the firewood in the stove.

Dan Wangshu wiped her hands on her apron and lifted the steamer from the large pot.

Steam billowed upward, and the massive ceramic basin shimmered with oil. Lifting the lid, the clear soup was bright, the egg dumplings were golden, and the free-range chicken and pig trotters were tender enough to fall off the bone, yet held their shape.

Whether it tasted good or not remained to be seen, but the aroma alone was intoxicating.

Her throat couldn't help but bob, and Ye Anning pursed her lips. The little chubby boy stared at the succulent chicken leg, his eyes shining.

"Don't burn yourself..."

Waving the siblings away, Dan Wangshu directed her nephew: "Youwei, serve it to the table!"

Wang Youwei used a dishcloth to cushion his hands and picked up the tray.

Just as he brought it into the dining room, a group of people moved at the scent: "Oh, Steamed Basin, how fragrant?"

"I went back to Xijing and ate it once at Hejiazhuang, but it wasn't this fragrant."

"Of course it's fragrant, it was made by the Third Sister-in-law (Dan Wangshu)!"

"If you can talk, say more; look at your Third Sister-in-law, she can't even keep her mouth from curling up!"

"But it really is fragrant!"

It was indeed fragrant; authentic blood pheasant, black wild boar trotters, honeycomb mushrooms, morels, Zhashui wood ear mushrooms, wild codonopsis... one could say that apart from the water, everything else was from the Qinling Mountains.

Even the seasonings were brought from Xijing.

To make this dish, Dan Wangshu had started preparing at seven o'clock, and it took a full eight hours until it was served at three.

One after another, the other dishes were brought out, and the banquet began.

The two sons and the son-in-law waited for the Old Master to take the head seat. Just as he sat down, the old man sniffed and glanced at the table.

The main dish was the Steamed Basin, flanked by four steamed bowls: Strip Pork, Steamed Pork with Rice Flour, Crispy Pork Steamed Meatballs, and Eight-Treasure Rice.

Additionally, there were Braised Pig Trotter, Milk Soup Pot Fish, Shangzhi Meat, and Braised Hair Moss... thirty-some dishes in total, nearly half of which were Shaanxi cuisine.

Dan Wangshu ladled a bowl of soup, the old man took a sip, then tasted an egg dumpling, his eyes brightening slightly: "This basin is good, did the Third one's wife make this?"

"Yes, Grandfather, please eat more!" Dan Wangshu nodded with a smile and placed a steamed meatball into the old man's bowl, "Please try this too!"

"This is also delicious!"

The old man ate a piece, then picked up a piece of Strip Pork himself: "This is also fragrant... Girl, bring me a piece of flatbread..."

Seeing the doctor didn't object, Ye Anning broke off a piece of pot-helmet bread for the old man.

"Mm-hmm... today's banquet is good, it's fantastic... don't look at me, everyone eat... everyone eat..."

The old man took a bite of bread, a bite of meat, and pointed with his chopsticks.

The Old Master had always been picky; if he could praise it like this, it must be truly delicious.

Wang Zhenbang (Wang Qi Zhi's father) tasted a piece of crispy pork and nodded incessantly: "This flavor is good."

The key was that it really had that flavor from back home; no wonder the Old Master couldn't stop praising it.

"It was all made by the student's family themselves!" Wang Qi Zhi said nonchalantly, gesturing with his hand, "That chicken, those mountain delicacies, these steamed bowls, plus the hemp leaves, sugar fritters, meat sauce, and pot-helmet bread... they packed a whole car for me!"

It seemed casual, but how could Dan Wangshu and Ye Anning not know what he was up to? The two exchanged a look, as if saying: Look, Uncle (your uncle) is at it again?

"His name is Lin Sicheng, right? You've been rambling about him since you arrived, my ears are calloused!" Wang Zhenbang sighed, "Third one, do you intend to keep picking on this one child for the rest of your life?"

Wang Qi Zhi curled his lip: "Dad, if I can take on such a student, I'll be satisfied for the rest of my life. How many more do you expect me to take on?"

Wang Zhenbang looked helpless, and several people at the table paused subconsciously.

Although Wang Qi Zhi's thinking was unconventional and most people couldn't keep up with his ideas, given his family background, how could his vision and judgment be poor?

To be able to say "I'll be satisfied for the rest of my life taking on such a student," how outstanding must this student be?

Just as they were suspicious, the old man nodded: "That child is not bad. Third one, has the calligraphy been hung up?"

Wang Qi Zhi nodded respectfully: "Grandfather, it was mounted on the 27th. I hired a master craftsman from Rongbaozhai, and it was hung up that very day..."

"Good that it's hung!" The old man broke off some pot-helmet bread to scoop up the pig trotter, "Third one's wife, next time you go back, have that child's mother make some more of this bread!"

Dan Wangshu nodded with a smile: "Alright, Grandfather!"

The whole table of people froze in unison.

The Old Master certainly hadn't met this student of Wang Qi Zhi's; at most, he had only heard of him.

But the Old Master rarely praised anyone. Just from hearing about him, he could be so certain and even write a piece of calligraphy—how extraordinary must this child be?

It was rare for the old man to have such a good appetite, so no one pressed him with questions. After eating for about an hour and having half a cup of wine, the old man started clamoring to play bridge.

Few of the young ones knew how to play, so the old man called away his two sons and his son-in-law.

The three old ladies couldn't sit for long either; they pulled Wang Qiguang (Ye Anning's mother) to make up the numbers and went to play mahjong.

A group of children went to the living room to play games, leaving only the third and fourth generations at the table.

Wang Qiming poured a glass of wine for Wang Qi Zhi, looking curious: "Third one, what did Grandfather write?"

"'The descendants offer sacrifices, bringing peace to my Sicheng!'"

Wang Qiming was stunned: Tsk, this calligraphy?

The key was that Dad had just mentioned it, and that child was named Sicheng?

"Third one, how did you coax Grandfather? You haven't even met the person, yet he praises him like this and even wrote calligraphy?"

"Second Brother, I didn't coax him!" Wang Qi Zhi held his wine glass, "If you don't believe me, ask Dad later. Grandfather said it himself: This child is not bad, his brain is sharp, he has courage and insight, just like the Second Girl!"

Everyone was stunned again.

At first glance, it sounded ordinary?

But in this family, that sentence was absolutely the Old Master's highest evaluation of a person.

Look at the names the Old Master gave his three grandsons: Qi Hua, Qiming, Qi Zhi; when it came to the second sister, it became Qiguang?

It came from the "Nine Songs: Lord of the Clouds": "Equal in radiance to the sun and moon..." Equal to the sun and moon!

Facts had proven this point: among the eight brothers and sisters of the third generation, the second sister was the most talented, the most steady, the most decisive in her actions, and she was so smart it didn't seem human...

Wang Qiming paused, looking stunned: "To praise him like this... what has this student of yours done?"

He has done plenty.

If Wang Qi Zhi were to count on his fingers, both his hands wouldn't be enough!

Just as he was thinking about picking out the most exciting parts to brag about, Wang Qi Hua smiled: "I have seen him: the young man is indeed excellent, spirited, with a sharp eye and great craftsmanship... What's rare is that he is steady, reserved, and has a sense of responsibility..."

"When Grandfather and Dad were chatting, I listened in a bit; he went to Zhejiang all by himself and snatched back several national treasures from cultural relics traffickers... Afterward, he cooperated with the Xijing public security department to take down a group of Grave Robbers that had been entrenched for years..."

"The scene back then was like a war, with guns and explosives... In the end, they caught seventy or eighty people; there were fifty or sixty guns alone, over a thousand rounds of ammunition, and several hundred kilograms of explosives..."

Wang Qi Hua told it like a story, recounting everything he knew, and the group listened in a daze.

A sharp eye, good at picking up leaks, and exceptionally good at making money—at the very least, one has to praise him as clever, studious, and sharp-minded.

Barely in his twenties, it would be one thing if his technical level were high, but his research ability is also strong; he can even independently design and host National Level projects. Does this mean Wang Qi Zhi, as his teacher, is just a figurehead?

What does this count as? "Once in a generation" might be an exaggeration, but he is at least a heaven-sent talent, brilliant and peerless.

What's rare is that he could actually influence Wang Qi Zhi?

How many years has it been? This lazy donkey wouldn't move when pulled and would back up when beaten. He accidentally took on a student, and suddenly he's enlightened and knows how to make progress?

What's even more rare is that he went alone to Zhejiang, into the lair of Grave Robbers, to recover national treasures and a Rhino Horn Cup. Then, he circled with cultural relics traffickers in Xijing, silently and without leaving a trace, digging this group out.

Look at the results: fifty or sixty guns, over a thousand rounds of ammunition, several hundred kilograms of explosives... Are these just Grave Robbers? These are already violent armed militants.

This hit exactly on the old man's soft spot.

Having fought many wars and served as a combat staff officer for half his life, "planning before acting" and "having both courage and strategy"—these eight words are the true portrait of the old man's life.

Suddenly, a young man with courage, strategy, responsibility, and a sense of duty appears, and he's the third brother's student. The old patriarch definitely has to ask and find out more.

As it turns out, the more he learns, the more outstanding Lin Sicheng becomes.

Other things aside, especially the question Wang Qi Zhi asked repeatedly, feeling frustrated that the iron wouldn't turn into steel: "Lin Sicheng, your life is always your own, tell me, what are you after?"

And Lin Sicheng would always smile and reply nonchalantly: "Teacher, someone has to do it!"

If he were just saying it, everyone would think he was bragging. But the problem is, he risked his life to do it first, and only then said these words...

It is not an exaggeration at all; when Wang Qi Zhi recounted this part, the old man's eyes widened, and he immediately gave him a Trainee Police Rank.

Then, he cheered: "A heart of integrity and a red liver."

Really, if Lin Sicheng hadn't refused to accept it, what was written on that calligraphy would have been "Patriotic Sentiment"...

The people at the table froze, silent and speechless.

They didn't have the chance to do it, and they probably couldn't do it, but that doesn't mean they don't admire it...

Ye Xing'an remained silent, looked at Ye Anning, who was sitting next to him eating quietly, and sighed deeply.

No wonder the girl's standards are so high, and she suddenly said she wanted to date?

If he is as outstanding as the eldest brother and the third brother say, forget about the girl liking him; even he, the father, likes him.

It's even less of a wonder that his wife is always nagging: "Old Ye, we have to meet him, we must meet him..."

We really must meet him.

As it happens, I have to go to Xijing after the New Year; after I finish my work, I'll meet him while I'm there...

Wang Qiming sighed with emotion: "This kid is capable; Third Brother, it's a waste of his talent to be your student!"

Wang Qi Zhi didn't speak and rolled his eyes.

The second sister-in-law also nodded: "How old is this kid!"

Dan Wangshu smiled: "Twenty-one, the same age as Youwei!"

"Oh, so young?"

The second sister-in-law pondered, not knowing what she was thinking, and just as she was about to speak, Wang Huaiyu (Wang Qi Hua's eldest daughter) raised her wine glass: "Second Aunt, I'll toast you!"

The second aunt nodded and picked up her glass.

Just after drinking, she was about to speak again, and Wang Huaiyu put a piece of cold meat in her bowl: "Second Aunt, is my third aunt's cooking good?"

Isn't this made by the mother of your third uncle's student?

Hiss... no...

Why does it feel like this brat is deliberately trying to stop me from talking?

Just as she picked up her chopsticks, the second aunt realized and let out an "Eh."

Her eyes darted back and forth between Wang Huaiyu and Ye Anning.

The eldest brother went to Xijing last September and met that kid. Weren't these two girls there at the time?

Suddenly, she was both surprised and amused.

I, the second aunt, love to play matchmaker, but I haven't even met the person, and today is the first time I've heard of him; who am I supposed to match?

And these two girls: one is winking, the other is calm and collected; isn't this a confession without being asked?

But is it strange?

In Wang Qiming's words: Anning's eyes are set on the top of the Forbidden City, even higher than the second sister's were back then. Everyone was worried for the second sister and brother-in-law, wondering what kind of person she would find?

And look, suddenly there's a prospect?

What's even stranger is: even Huaiyu knows, so how could Qi Zhi and Wangshu, and the brother-in-law and second sister not know?

The former is fine; after all, he is the third brother's student and so excellent, so the two of them must be happy to see it happen.

But the second sister and second brother-in-law didn't stop it?

The more she thought about it, the more surprised she became. The second aunt looked at Ye Xing'an (Ye Anning's father), then smiled and pursed her lips, watching Ye Anning, who had taken her phone and left the dining room.

This girl is afraid of being teased, so she hid away.

Hiss, she's so old, and her face is still so thin?

Hmm, maybe not; maybe she went to call that kid...

Watching Ye Anning leave, the second aunt joked happily: "Qi Zhi, you took in a good student, and suddenly you have motivation?"

That is so.

It's not quite a waste of talent; Wang Qi Zhi hopes his student will become a dragon, and he wishes Lin Sicheng could use every bit of his ability.

Therefore, if he as a teacher can't be of much help, he shouldn't at least be a burden, right? Of course, he has to be proactive...

Wang Qi Zhi looked outside again: it was almost dark, and in a while, Lin Sicheng should be calling to offer New Year's greetings. When that time comes, he can let him send his regards over the phone to make the old master happy too...

As these thoughts turned in his mind, he felt a sense of relief and stood up to pour another round of drinks.

Just as he picked up his glass and made a toast, before it even reached his lips, Ye Anning ran back in with a panicked look on her face.

Her face was pale, and her eyes were filled with anxiety: "Little Uncle, something has happened to Lin Sicheng..."

Wang Qi Zhi was suddenly stunned, his heart skipping a beat: "What happened?"

"He was locked up by the Public Security Bureau... I called him, but he didn't even mention it and just asked me what I was eating... Later, I called Auntie Jiang to offer New Year's greetings, and I felt her tone was off, like she had been crying, and that's when I realized something was wrong...

And it was so noisy on the phone, like they were fighting... I asked Auntie Jiang what was wrong, and she said: Lin Sicheng was robbed, and in order to save someone, he beat up the people, so he was locked up in the Public Security Bureau...

They had just returned from the Public Security Bureau when the families of the people who were beaten and injured chased them to their home, demanding compensation for the people and money... Auntie Jiang also said the other party had pulled a knife at the time..."

At first, Wang Qi Zhi was still listening patiently, but when he heard "robbery," "saving someone," "Lin Sicheng was locked in the Public Security Bureau," and "the families of the injured chased them to their home demanding compensation for the people and money," the Fire Qi in his heart shot straight up.

When he heard the last sentence, "the other party pulled a knife," he felt the fire surge to the top of his head, and his hand trembled involuntarily: What the hell?

Chen Peng, is your brain clogged with shit?

The one who acted bravely for a just cause is locked up in the station, while the ones who committed the crimes are the ones retaliating?

Especially Lin Sicheng, that dog-brained fool is acting up again: they had a knife... what the hell were you trying to save?

Wang Qi Zhi was furious and angry, and also felt lingering fear, gritting his teeth as he picked up his phone.

Just as he finished dialing half of Chen Peng's number, Lin Zhangqing's call came in.

Suddenly, the Fire Qi rushed to his forehead again: Professor Lin, oh Professor Lin, if Ye Anning hadn't called and it couldn't be hidden anymore, were you not planning to make this call at all?

He suppressed his anger and pressed the answer button.

It seemed Lin Zhangqing had left the room to make the call, as one could only faintly hear the sound of arguing.

Likely extremely angry, Lin Zhangqing's voice was trembling slightly.

Wang Qi Zhi listened quietly, his face growing darker and darker:

Not only did the suspects' families rush to the victim's home to cause trouble, but they also hit people?

This is pushing their luck, treating people like they're made of mud?

If I don't make you regret it until your intestines turn green, I'm not a Wang!

With the speakerphone on, the volume was not low, and the people at the table looked at each other: how can anyone bully people like this?

And the third brother's student... the other party had a knife, and he tried to save someone?

This silly child, what would he have done if he'd been stabbed twice?

Looking at Ye Anning, who was pale and looked full of lingering fear, her hands seemingly shaking, and then looking at Wang Qi Zhi, whose face was livid and whose fists were clenched so tightly they were cracking, Ye Xing'an sighed:

This kid is really something; he didn't even know if he should praise him.

But with the girl and the third brother in this state, there's no point in waiting until things are finished; doing it early is convenient, and doing it late is also convenient...

In a flash, Wang Qi Zhi hung up the phone, gritting his teeth viciously, as if he wanted to boil someone alive and eat them.

Afterward, he flipped through his phone book, likely looking for someone to call.

Seeing the words "Secretary Ding," Ye Xing'an pressed down on Wang Qi Zhi's hand: "Third Brother, don't call, let me do it!"

Wang Qi Zhi was in the heat of anger and would inevitably act on impulse; the things he said would definitely not be pleasant.

Offending people is secondary, but don't let it backfire: after all, the third brother and that kid still have to work and live in Xijing in the future.

What's more, the person is still locked up inside...

Patting Wang Qi Zhi's hand, Ye Xing'an took the phone and left the dining room.

Dan Wangshu stroked Wang Qi Zhi's back: "Stop being angry, you know what Lin Sicheng's personality is like, don't you?"

"Besides, this isn't the first time, is it?"

It would have been better if she hadn't said anything, but once she did, Wang Qi Zhi was even angrier.

He endured and endured, again and again.

It was only because he was far away; otherwise, he would definitely have rushed over and beaten Lin Sicheng until his skin was torn and flesh was mangled: Lin Sicheng, your life is your own, isn't it?

But you, you treat it like it was picked up off the street, time and time again...

Just as he was shaking with anger, the phone buzzed again. Wang Qi Zhi glanced at it and laughed out of sheer anger:

Lin Sicheng, you dog, you probably don't even know that Professor Lin just called me...

Oh no... he doesn't even know that the families of those robbers have come knocking at the door...

Let's see how you try to lie to me! If I don't scold you to death today, I'm not your teacher...

He pressed the button hard, the curses ready on his lips, but Dan Wangshu snatched the phone away.

She first glared at Wang Qi Zhi, signaling him to restrain himself, and then sighed:

"Lin Sicheng, look at you, they had a knife, and you still dared to rush in? Your teacher is already driven crazy by you..."

"They've already rushed to your home... ah, you don't know? Don't worry, Anning's father has already gone to make a call... don't be anxious... ah, you want to go back? Fine, I'll tell your teacher in a moment..."

After rambling on for a long time, Dan Wangshu had basically cleared things up before hanging up the phone.

She sighed again: "Stop being angry, Lin Sicheng was intercepted halfway while driving home. The incident happened too suddenly, and he didn't expect it... He is indeed at the Public Security Bureau right now, but Director Li is there, and Director Chen is there too. The three of them are watching the Spring Festival Gala and even had a little to drink..."

"He also asked if you could please call Director Li or Director Chen; he wants to go home and check on things..."

At first, Wang Qi Zhi was quite angry: was he angry that Lin Sicheng was locked in the Public Security Bureau? He was angry that Lin Sicheng put himself in danger.

The time in Hangzhou was one thing; after Lin Sicheng returned, he only spoke of it lightly, and Wang Qi Zhi could only imagine it, not feeling it deeply.

During the Zhang Anshi Tomb incident, Chen Peng made proper arrangements, and there were people following him twenty-four hours a day, so he wasn't too worried.

But this time, these were robbers with knives... if they got desperate, wouldn't stabbing you twice be like child's play?

Righteously indignant, Wang Qi Zhi was suddenly stunned upon hearing that Lin Sicheng wanted to go home: That's not right... Why would he go home at a time like this?

To fight again?

Huh, thinking about it this way, it amounts to a lucky mistake: Chen Peng keeping Lin Sicheng at the Municipal Public Security Bureau Branch, did he actually keep him there for the right reason?

Otherwise, if he ran into the group currently causing trouble, something would surely happen...

Suddenly, his anger dissipated by more than half, and just as he was secretly feeling relieved, a commotion came from behind him.

The old man, the two brothers, and the old son-in-law had all arrived at the dining room.

Calculating the time, they had been sparring for nearly two hours; it must have been the health doctor who wouldn't let the old patriarch continue. But it was still early, so the old patriarch wanted to chat with the younger generation.

After entering the door, seeing that the atmosphere was wrong, the old man asked a question.

No one dared to hide it, nor was there any need to, so Dan Wangshu recounted everything from beginning to end.

The old man grew angrier the more he heard, and only when he heard halfway through that his granddaughter's husband had already gone to make arrangements did his anger subside by half.

He asked a few more detailed questions, and when he heard, "The knife was thrust over, and Lin Sicheng had two girls behind him, so he really had no way to dodge and could only face it head-on," the old man's eyes seemed to brighten for a moment.

Then, two gazes like arrows pierced over.

Wang Qi Zhi was slow to react, but for no reason, he felt a chill on his face. Subconsciously glancing over, his heart skipped a beat: This is going to be bad.

Knowing it probably wouldn't end well, he turned to run outside, but just as he lifted his foot, "Whoosh," a cane flew over.

Wang Qi Zhi caught it in a flurry, both puzzled and aggrieved: "Grandpa, I didn't say anything!"

With that pathetic look of yours, do you even need to say anything?

The old man glared: You useless thing... Saving the endangered and helping the weak, even your students understand principles better than you...

It was only because Wang Qi Zhi was too old, otherwise the old patriarch would definitely have thrown him into the military...

The old man snorted: "Bring the phone here..."

In the office, Lin Sicheng was on the phone, his eyes turning red bit by bit.

Chen Peng was still puzzled, thinking the person on the other end of the call must be Wang Qi Zhi's wife; although he couldn't hear clearly what was said, the tone was quite gentle.

But why was this kid acting as fierce as if he were about to kill someone?

Just as he was suspicious, the landline phone rang with a "ding-a-ling," and Chen Peng picked it up, then his face gradually turned dark blue, and the veins on his forehead bulged.

Damn it, has the world turned upside down?

People from Sanyao Village ran to Lin Sicheng's home, men, women, old and young, there were actually thirty or forty of them?

Lin Sicheng's brother-in-law, the one who just came to the bureau, was slapped over a dozen times. Those two girls also each took two slaps..."

Lin Sicheng's parents were also almost beaten, and it was only because some relatives shouted that Lin Chengzhi was a cadre in the city that those people didn't dare to act...

Lin Sicheng's grandfather was so angry he almost fainted...

On the phone, every time Hu Chenguang said something, Chen Peng's eyelid twitched, and by the end, Chen Peng was so angry he wanted to curse.

Just a moment ago he was fine, why was Lin Sicheng now like a bristling lion?

Who the hell could endure this?

But the problem is, Wang Qi Zhi's wife, thousands of miles away, knew about it, yet he and his master didn't?

He didn't believe Lin Sicheng's parents didn't know to call the police, and he believed even less that the Center didn't handle the police report.

Therefore, it must be that after Hu Chenguang received the police report, he didn't connect the case of the disturbance at Dongqujiangchi happening now with the robbery that occurred at Sanyao Village in the afternoon at all.

He only knew what was going on after arriving at the scene, and that was when he called him...

"Hu Chenguang, if you aren't arresting people, what the hell are you calling for?"

"What, not enough men? I'll send Pi Xingchang to you..."

With a "slap," Chen Peng hung up the phone. Coincidentally, Lin Sicheng also hung up the phone.

But immediately after, Li Chunnan's phone rang again.

Glancing at it, his expression turned serious: "Director Ding, hello..."

Subsequently, he was also suddenly stunned and took a look at Lin Sicheng.

"Yes, Director Ding, all the suspects have been brought in, the case has been roughly understood, and we are interrogating them overnight... Yes, I am at the Municipal Public Security Bureau Branch!"

"Yes, the case is very clear... Yes, legitimate defense, acting bravely for a just cause... Okay, I will handle it now..."

"Director Ding, you are too kind, it's no trouble, it's my duty... Okay, Director Ding, I understand... I also wish the leader a happy New Year..."

Lin Sicheng was fuming and didn't pay attention, but Chen Peng heard it clearly.

Who is this... Director Ding?

The key is the last sentence: This call was clearly made because a leader told him to...

Just as he was filled with shock and doubt, Li Chunnan hung up the phone and glared: "What are you standing there for? Why aren't you arresting people yet?"

Chen Peng stood at attention, and just as he was about to leave, Li Chunnan patted Lin Sicheng on the shoulder: "Little Lin, don't worry, let Chen Peng go back with you... Rest assured, the sky won't fall!"

Lin Sicheng gritted his teeth and nodded, and Li Chunnan sighed secretly again: Why is it such a coincidence?